Opened to visitors in 2013, Son Doong Cave has become a global icon for adventure tourism. With tours consistently fully booked, often requiring reservations 3 to 6 months in advance, what makes this exploration of the world’s largest cave so incredibly appealing? Let’s uncover the elements that define the uniqueness and đẳng cấp (class/level) of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Son Doong Cave: A Unique Wonder of the World
Formed 2 to 2.5 million years ago by river erosion of limestone, Son Doong Cave boasts colossal dimensions, stretching 9km in length with an estimated volume of 38.6 million m3. In some sections, the cave ceiling reaches heights of 200m and widths of 160m, large enough to house an entire 40-story block in New York. This record helped Son Doong surpass Deer Cave (Malaysia) to become the world’s largest natural cave, recognized by Guinness in 2015.
Sunlight streaming into Son Doong Cave
Beyond its sheer size, Son Doong’s unique appeal lies in its distinctive ecosystem within. It is the only cave in the world harboring a primeval forest, an underground river, and its own weather system. Two massive dolines allow sunlight to penetrate, combining with groundwater to foster a diverse and thriving ecosystem unparalleled anywhere else. National Geographic has affirmed it as one of the most unique caves on the planet.
Son Doong’s unparalleled beauty has attracted the attention of major media outlets and filmmakers worldwide, including National Geographic, BBC, ABC, and NHK. Images of this magnificent cave also featured in Alan Walker’s music video “Alone Pt.II.” The New York Times hailed Son Doong as one of the most desirable destinations in 2014, and Global Grasshopper ranked it among the top 10 most beautiful places globally. Reputable publications like Telegraph, Daily Mail, Trip Advisor, and Huffington Post have also lavishly praised Son Doong’s breathtaking splendor.
Son Doong Cave is more than just a natural wonder; it’s a living museum preserving unprecedented records. To date, Son Doong is the only location in the world to have been recognized for records by all three of the most prestigious global record organizations – Guinness, the World Record Association, and the World Records Union.
Son Doong Expedition: Pushing Your Limits
The Son Doong expedition tour is meticulously designed by Oxalis Adventure, in consultation with leading cave experts from the UK and Vietnam, ensuring maximum safety for visitors. However, conquering Son Doong is no easy feat.
The 4-day journey demands good physical fitness and trekking experience to navigate 17km of jungle trails, wade through streams, explore 8km of cave passages, ascend 800m of slopes, and tackle the 90m-high Vietnam Wall with the support of safety equipment and experts.
Tourists climbing the Vietnam Wall in Son Doong Cave
Many visitors share that they were apprehensive about the challenges of the trip, but upon overcoming them, especially when scaling the Vietnam Wall to exit the cave, they were overwhelmed with happiness and self-pride. The Son Doong expedition is not just a nature exploration trip, but also an opportunity for each individual to push their boundaries and discover their inner strength.
Andy H, a visitor from Canada, commented: “Son Doong is the 8th wonder of the world. The trip is tough but worth every penny. It’s a place with scenery as impressive as on another planet, a natural, pristine, and pure beauty.”
US Ambassador Ted Osius, after participating in the Son Doong expedition in 2017, also shared that he had been to many places and experienced many adventures, but Son Doong was truly different and one of the most amazing places in the world.
With its unique and memorable experiences, the Son Doong expedition was voted the world’s top adventure tour in 2014 by National Geographic Adventure UK. In 2019, Dave TV in the UK also ranked this tour 5th in its list of the 20 greatest adventures on the planet.
Sustainable Tourism: Conservation and Local Community Development
The Son Doong exploration tour not only provides incredible experiences for visitors but also contributes to the sustainable development of the local area. The number of visitors per year is limited to 1000 people, in small groups of up to 10, to minimize environmental impact and ensure the best experience for each visitor. The tour operating season is also limited from January to August, allowing the cave time to rest and its ecosystem to recover.
Oxalis Adventure, along with cave experts, has prioritized green principles and conservation from the outset of tourism operations. Visitors are guided to walk on designated paths to minimize impact on the stalactite and stalagmite system. All items brought into the cave must be carried out, and toilets use a composting method to protect the environment.
In addition to nature conservation, Oxalis Adventure also focuses on local community development. The company employs local people, who previously lacked stable employment or engaged in environmentally harmful jobs, as staff members, contributing to nature protection and improving their livelihoods.
Conclusion
The Son Doong cave expedition is more than just a simple tour; it’s a journey of self-discovery, experiencing the wonders of nature, and contributing to the sustainable development of the local community. If you are an adventure enthusiast, want to challenge yourself, and explore the world’s unique beauties, then the Son Doong expedition is definitely an unmissable experience.